Todd Trites has achieved the goal he set this season of winning 150 races in a single season. That came some time ago, but he is now on the brink of collecting his 200th victory of the season. With some racing luck, he could reach it this weekend.

He will suit up for 12 drives on Saturday afternoon at Exhibition Park Raceway. Then, as it is very common for the Penniac, NB native, it’s off for Sunday racing at Truro, where he will drive 10. That’s 22 drives for a man who is sporting a .403 driving average. Seven wins on one weekend is typical Trites.

Earlier this season after recording his 100th win of the campaign, the hard-working Trites set a personal goal of 150 wins on the season. Once he hit that mark, he set his sights on 200 wins. “Shortly after I hit 150 earlier in the year then I thought it might be possible if I had a multiple win weekends to get there. I started doing the math and realized that I had a good shot at breaking 200.”

With racing gaining more momentum with the impending creation of Harness Racing New Brunswick, Trites is quick to point out that changes were needed. “Well I think we all agree we needed a change in order to survive; now we have a chance. We have some great people in place to lead us to a brighter future, I guess only time will tell.”

He goes on to point out that co-operation between the horsemen and the new organization is just one of the keys to its success. “I think in order for 'Racing New Brunswick' to be successful the horsemen will have to work with each other, think long-term and set goals we can reach with everybody on board. Not an easy task but achievable.”

His successful season did not come without the standard bumps and bruises that go hand in hand with the sport at times. In fact, most of this year the Maritimes top catch-driver was nursing a sore shoulder since the early spring. “I had myself in great shape to do something special this year but have got banged up along the way. I didn’t own, train, and drive any of my winners this year so every one of my victories came as a result of other people’s hard work and I am thankful for the opportunities given to me.”

This year will also mark the first time that he has captured a major Maritime driving award. In winning the Frank Daniels trophy for the Maritimes leading driver, Trites has a huge amount of respect for those who have won it before him and the award's namesake. “I know the time and effort I put into this year so I also have new found respect for those that have won it before me. I am going to really cherish this award when the season is over, until then I have unfinished business. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family, they will always come first!”

As the new year approaches, it’s the time of year that people set goals, objectives or a new year’s resolution. When asked about his for 2009, the answer is very simple but to the point. “'Cup & Saucer' would be awesome but I will still feel complete if I never get one. I would like to test the waters at other tracks like I have in the past and just hope to have success wherever I go. There are a lot of big races I have yet to win so I’m going to just keep 'rockin'.

(EPR)